Research firm IDC projects China will overtake the U.S. this year as the leading market for smartphone shipments, with low-cost Android devices driving growth. Looking further ahead, India and Brazil will join the top five country markets for smartphone shipments by 2016. “Due to their sheer size, strong demand, and healthy replacement rates, emerging markets are quickly becoming the engines of the worldwide smartphone market," said Ramon Llamas, a senior research analyst at IDC, in a statement. While mature markets like Japan, the U.K. and the U.S. will see continued growth in smartphone adoption, the volumes won’t keep up …

More than half of current iPad owners (56.7%) plan to upgrade and 72% plan to buy the latest version of the Apple tablet hitting stores Friday, according to a new survey by mobile video ad network Rhythm NewMedia. The company also said 74% plan to use their new iPad to watch video. Apple has maintained the $499 price for the new iPad, which features a faster processor, sharper screen, and 4G compatibility, while dropping the iPad 2's price to $399. Apple said pre-orders of the third-generation iPad have already sold out. Don't be surprised to see lines forming outside Apple …

Former Yahoo and Bloomberg executive Kevin Krim has joined CNBC.com in the newly created position of digital general manager. In that role, he will be tasked with developing and executing “a cohesive digital strategy that will take CNBC to the next level,” according to an announcement today by the Mark Hoffman, president of the financial network. Until last September, Krim was global head of Bloomberg Digital, overseeing Bloomberg.com and BusinessWeek.com, as well as integration of the company TV, radio and news content into new digital products and services. Before joining Bloomberg in 2009, Krim was vice president of product and …

NBCUniversal’s women’s centric DailyCandy lifestyle site has struck a deal Unilever’s Suave Professionals to create “The Style Suite” where in four cities select women will get to experience one-on-one hair stylings with Suave styling products – all while watching a private screening of NBC network’s new reality show “Fashion Star.” “DailyCandy continues to create new and innovative ways for our partners to reach DailyCandy’s influential audience – active, engaged women who trust our brand and style sensibility,” said Fernando Romero, vp of advertising sales for DailyCandy, in a release. “Fashion Star” debuts Tuesday, March 13 at 9:30 p.m. Xxx

Aereo, the Web-based TV service backed by media mogul Barry Diller, has filed a counter suit against some broadcasters that filed a lawsuit to block it from launching on Wednesday. The counter suite, which was filed in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan today against a suit from Wald Disney Co., CBS, Comcast, NBC Universal, and others, reports Reuters.

Following up on its threat last month, Yahoo has filed a patent infringement suit against Facebook. The Web portal sued the social networking giant in federal court in San Jose, Calif. over 10 patents including methods and systems for online advertising. The complaint comes as Facebook is preparing for an initial public offering this spring and echoes the patent litigation wars that have already hit the mobile industry involving companies including Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and Motorola. "Unfortunately, the matter with Facebook remains unresolved and we are compelled to seek redress in federal court," Yahoo said in a statement released …

Facebook on Monday announced a new group of timeline apps from brands including Foursquare, Nike, The Onion, Vevo, Fandango and Viddy. In the two months since Facebook opened up Timeline to a wider group of marketers and publishers, nearly 3,000 have created apps. For at least some sites, the move has led to big audience gains. Pinterest, for example, has increased its daily active Facebook user base by 60%, while Goodreads has seen its daily traffic grow 77%. Here’s what brands are doing with latest batch of timeline apps: Foursquare: People can now add their Foursquare check-ins to their timelines …

Laura Molen has been named executive vice president of network sales at Univision. She succeeds Maelia Macin, who is leaving Univision after 20 years to relocate to Houston, TX and spend more time with her family.Molen joins from MTV Networks, where she was senior vice president-strategic partnerships for VH1 Ad Sales and Marketing.

Horizon Media, the New York-based independent media shop said today it was launching a new research effort called the "Horizon Proving Ground" in partnership with WNCE-TV an independent TV station in Saratoga Springs-Glen Falls, New York. The agency said the "Horizon Proving Ground" would provide a testing facility for new technologies, consumer and social media sentiment as well as channel planning and engagement theories for Horizon and its clients. "In today's rapidly changing media world, the opportunities to create connections between brands and consumers are limitless," stated Bill Koenigsberg, ceo, Horizon Media. "With the 'Horizon Proving Ground' we have a …

Leo MacCourtney and Craig Broitman have been named co-presidents of Katz Television Group.